MSc/PGDip/PGCert Information Technology

• We normally require an honours degree of 2.2 or above.
• You need to have some knowledge of computing, either from your first degree or work / voluntary experience, which you should outline in your application.
• We can consider applicants who do not meet the normal entry requirement, but who do have relevant professional experience or qualifications. In your application, you should describe in detail your professional experience and qualifications.
• International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.

The full Masters course is made up of 180 credits divided into three 60 credit stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters. You will work incrementally through the three stages and need to pass all modules at each stage to be able to progress onto the next.

The MSc route is structured so that three quarters of the taught course comprises core modules, while you choose the rest to fit your personal and professional aspirations and career goals. In the first term, there are four core modules, followed by one core module and two optional ones in the second term. 

Core modules

• Professionalism And Governance In IT (15 credits) - In this module, we explore current issues in the governance of IT services in organisations. We will look at the key challenges and competing demands facing the industry, and the potentially transformative impact of IT on complex organisations. You will learn how to evaluate and reconcile the sometimes conflicting social, business, legal and ethical pressures of working as an IT professional.
• Project Management (15 credits) - You will learn how to make choices when approaching a project, as well as gaining the tools and techniques to use in planning and monitoring progress. We will cover all these aspects in the context of working towards successful project outcomes, as well as fitting in with project management frameworks and philosophies such as PRINCE2 and Agile.
• Information Security (15 credits) - This module explores the key information security principles, risks, threats and vulnerabilities faced by public or private organisations. You will analyse issues relating to privacy, civil liberties and intellectual property; learn how to propose a compliant information security framework or policy; and also research and communicate current and emerging information security trends.
• Digital Design and Development (15 credits) - You will learn about the fundamentals of digital design and development, including information architecture and user interface fundamentals, prototyping and delivery on web, mobile and emerging platforms. We will cover how to identify and develop creative solutions to design problems; how to respond to critiques on designs and prototypes; and how to write clean, reusable and efficient code.
• Group Software Development Project (30 credits) - Within this module, you will have the opportunity to extend, consolidate and apply the knowledge you have gained in the other modules, while working on a group focused software project involving the analysis of project requirements, project management, prototyping, coding, quality assurance and documentation.

You will then choose two of the following 15 credit optional modules:

• Information and Knowledge Management
• Data Management
• Designing The User Experience
• Cloud Computing
• Linked, Open Data and The Internet of Things
• Machine Learning And Predictive Analytics
• Social Media And Web Science
• Big Data

You can also choose to complete a research-focused Masters Dissertation or a Dissertation by Research and Development that includes the development of a software product (60 credits). You will begin this early in the course, with an introduction to research methods, followed by a closer look at different research approaches and the drafting of research objectives. A dissertation proposal, followed by a progress review, will lead you into the full research and writing/development of your dissertation.